Fare register



Hug. 28, 1928.

FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 31, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheep' l mmm v.. E N R Aug. 28, 1928.

W. M. HOFFMAN FARE REGISTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1919 Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

" i UNITED `starts PATE-NT oFFic-sf WILLIAM M. HOFFMAN, OF RQXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS. i

Y FARE REGISTER.

AppIicaton led January 31, 1919. kSerial No.. 274,164.

This invention relates to an improvement in :tare registers. It relates more particularly to the type of tare registers used on street cars in which a common driving element is caused to actuate indicators so that there is a simultaneous registering of the unit fares or number ot fares or passengers on one indicator and a registering ot the total amount o the fares on a different indicator', usually called the totalizer. A tare register of thisV type is illustratedv in the patenttok l/Voodward 1,344,840 of June 29, 1920.

In registers of this character there are trains of gears which bear a predetermined,

definite relation to each other so that for cach step of the unit fare indicator there is an in variable amount of actuation ot the total tare indicator which amount is determined by the gear rati os.` This ratio may be dependent upon the rate of tare so that tor a single trip Aof a car the totalizer will be stepped up an amount corresponding with the number of units indicated on the unit indicator multiplied by the rate of fare. Such registers are not suitable for use when the rate ot' fare changes because of lack of co-ordination be-` tween the total amount collected and the numloer of fares recorded at the new rate. It is usual in making registers ot this sort to provide means operable from outside the cover for resetting the unit or trip register'to zero, While the totalizer is inaccessible tounauthorized persons `for resetting purposes, but can be set by those Ahaving accessvto the inside ot the cover. `The conductor returns the trip register to zero at the end ot eachtrip, but

isl unable to change the reading ot the totali izer. In this way a record is kept by the totalizer of the total fares collectedsince the totalizer was last set, while an inspector is` enabled to check the fares vcollected on an individual trip when he boards the car.

vIn order to adapt these registers to the new condition ot changed rate ot tare, it has been necessary to dismantle the same andinsert gears with a different ratio `in order to obtainl consonance between the indicators,

thus resulting'in` great expense and loss otV time which ymust `loe repeated-it the fare is again changed. Y

The object of my invention is to obviate the ditculties above alluded to, and to pro duce a tare register in which the change over from one rate of fare to any one`ot many other rates can be quickly and conveniently ettected. i f

My Vinvention can be attachedto existing fare registers so that the desired result can be obtained, or tare registers can be lbuilt em-l bodying my invention so that such registers are readily adapted to the uses mentioned. The invention consists in providing a connection between the main drivevot the tare regia ter and one oit the indicators, which connection can be adjusted so as to vary the relative amounts ot' actuation of the nnitrindicator and the totalizer in accordance with the specilied rate .of tare under which the cars are operated. The proper corelation betweenthe unit fare indicator and thetotalizercan thus be always maintained. y v Y The invention will be understood from the ldrawings and the accompanying description in which like numerals'refer to the saine pai't.

In the drawings, l Fig. 1 is alfront elevation of the register. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ot' the same, partly in section. Y F 3 is a plan view of the register'. j Fig'. 4 is a sectional view taken along t-he line4-4ofiFig. 2.

1 F 5 is aview, partlyin section, showing a modification of the change speed mecha# nism. Y 'm1,

Fig. 6 shows another modifie-ation. Y

Reference characters 101, 102, 103, 104 and; 105` designatea series of wheels loosely mounted upon a common axis 11.- Upon the tace'ot each ot these'wheels is a series ot numerals,

O to 9 inclusive,and the wheels are Vconnected in the well-known way so` thatijust as Wheel 10l completes 'one' revolution wheel 102. is turned the distance between two successive numerals, and so on through the entireseries. i

soV

register, only one numeral on'each wheel is visible to au observer through a slotl or opening in thel face of the cover. This set ot wheels is inaccessible to the conductorso that only a duly authorized person canset the same to zero in the-usual way. I

12 is the main drive wheel tor theregister. This drive wheel 12 tobe turneda prede- Atermined amount inV accordance with the amount of fare collected. 'lhis is done in any convenient way such as by the actuation of a lever or by connecting the gear 12 to a money counting machiney by means of shaft 121 which automatically actuates it in accordance with thel amount collected. By means of the gear wheel 18, shaft 14 and gear 15 the gear 16 is driven, which actuates the wheels 101, 102, etc. to indicate the amount of fare collected. Y

Reference characters 101, 102, and 103 designate a series of indicator wheels which have numerals 0 to 9 on the periphery of the same to indicate the number otv fares collected.

These wheels are operated in the well known way from gear wheel 17 which is driven `lrom the main drive wheel 12 through gears 18, 19, transmission mechanism S (which will be described in detail below). universal joint 20, gear 21 and gears 22,2?) and 24.

The transmission mechanism designated as a whole by the reference character S, consists of the following elements: 25 is a hollow shalt to the lower end of which a stepped gear 19 consisting of a series of `gear wheels ot' diilerent sizes isfrigidly connected.y rTheV shaft 25 has a longitudinal key way 26 along the outsidev thereof in which the key 27 lits, ora longitudinal rib on the outside ot the shaft 25 may be employed instead of the key 27.

a hole 30 in shaft 25.

30 and one of the holes 33 are in -alinement` The c'vlin der 31 rotates freely inthe cylinder 34 and its upper end is rigidly' connected by rod 35 to the lower member 86 of a universal joint 20 Ywhose upper member 3T is rigidly .connected to the'shaiit 38 orn gear T21.

The upper end et the vshaft 38 turns in a fixed bearing 42 carried by the frame 41.

The cylinder 84 is piveted by means of lugs 39 turning in straps 40 fastened to frame 41 so as to swing about a horizontal axis in the Vsame horizontal plane as the vuniversal joint 20. The cylinder 34 is held in different positions on pivots 39 by means of yoke 43 which,

' is attached to thecylinder 34 at 44 and carries a `slotted arm 45 which may be adjusted in different ,posi-ti ons Lbymeans of the wing nut 46. n

Inthe modilication shown in Fig. r5 t-he y shaft 251 carrying the stepped gear 19 llits n inthe cylinder 31 and is held` in different po# sitions therein by means of the cotter pin C passing through holes O in shaft'25.

In the modii'ication shown in llig.v 6 the Inside the shaft 25 is pivoted a lever 28,` having a bent end 29 which extends through n v the plate 52, bearing the legends Out, and

In so that the appropriate legend is visible through an opening in the cover at all times. The structure and operation oli' these parts, together with a bella-inging device, are old and well known in this art, so that further description ofthe same is deemed unnecessary tor the purpose ot explaining my invention.

The operation as follows: The gear 12 is turned'a predetermined amount when a fare is paid in vaccordance with the prevailing rate of fare. The gears 13, 15 and 16 are so proportioned that the wheel 101 isturnedthecorrect amount to indicate the fare, when the gear 12 is actuated the predetermined amount. The gears 19, 21,. 22 and23 areso proportioned that the wheel 101 Will be movel one step when the gear12 is actuated an amount sutlicientv to' cause the gear 101 to turn enough to indicate the fare for one passenger.v That is, the readings on the series of wheels 101, 102 etc. will increase seven times of fare, as indicated by the ynumbers j and 21 on the two indicators respectively, when the third one, or seven cent gear, of the series 19 is in mesh withY the gear 18, and a similar proportionate registration will take place when the other gears l19 are in mesh with gear 18.

VVhenthe rate of fare `is changed to six cents,.for example, the nut46 is loosened, and the transmission .mechanism S is adjusted so that the correct gear of different size in the series 19 will mesh with gear 18. The nut 46 is then tightened. T his particularchange wouldV require a gear havingy siX--sevenths as many Ateeth as thel one for the seven cent fare.

J In a similar way the mechanism may be set for a live cent, eight center any other,v desirable fare, by causing a gear on shaft 25 havingfivesevenths, eight-sevenths, etc. as many teeth as the seven-cent gear, to mesh with gearf18- rPhe-several gears 19 may have the yfaresyfor which they-are to be used, stamped on them or suitable legends may be placed at proper places on shaft 25, 1n order to avoid errorsin :makingthe adj nst,

. ments.

At the end of .a trip the increment inthe indications on the totalizer will be the reading ofthe passenger indicator multiplied by the rate of fare. rlfhe conductor will turn thepassenger indicator to zero by means of knob 50 and will simultaneously change the accessible to the conductor, who is therefore unable to cause the tbta'lizer to indicate a smaller amount than that corresponding to r the number of passengers that have been intheV skilled mechanic.

dicated on the passenger indicator.

It is tobe noted that with the devicey as illustrated in Fig. 2, the adjustmentsi for theV different rates of faire can bemade entirely by hand by merely pressing upon the end ot lever 28 and sliding shaft 25 to the proper position, while setting the slotted arm 45 atv the proper place `by meansoi nut 46 so that the corresponding gear 19 willmesh with gear 18. y The universal joint 20prevents the different angular positions ot'the cylinder 34 from interfering with the operation as the gear 19 turns shaft 25 which carries with it the` cylinder 31, which in turn drives the lower' member 36 of universal joint 20. In the embodiment of the change-speed mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 a tool may be necessary to insert and withdraw the cotter pin C. lVith the shaft illustrated in Fig. 6, there is little danger of `applying the incorrect gear 19 asthey will be plainly marked with the respective rates of tare for which they are to be used;

It is obvious that a fiexible shaft might be used instead of one with a universal joint r while maintaining' some of the'advantages ot the structure illustrated; the change speed mechanism might be introduced in the totaliZer traininstead of the passenger indicator train withV somewhat satisfactory results;

the stepped gear could be adapted 'to be placed at the upper instead ofthe lower end ofthe speedgchange mechanism; and other means than thatl illustrated may be used tohold-the gears 19 in mesh with the gear 18. These. and otherchanges will bejobvious to This invention has been developed connection with tare registers already in the market and has been described andk illus-- trated in connection with a well known type of register. This has been done by showing such a register adapted to the new'uses by merely removing 'the former train otconnectionsv to the passenger indicatorand attaching the change speed mechanism to the old trame. The invention would operate without they gears 18 and 241, but would require a modification of the Atrame used on the old registers. By the arrangement described the `old registers which were suitable for only one iiXed rate of fare can be quickly converted into la register that is suitable for. operation at elther one of a large number ot different rates of fare. VThe gist ot vthis in- Y vention is in so combining a passenger or unit -each other irrespective of Athe rate ofy tare which may bein vogue at a particular time. Y It is'obvious that this invention may be ap-` plied to any fare register in which there is an indicator tor the number of passengers and a total fare indicator, ortotalizer, which are to be operated in conjunction with eachV other at predetermined ratios from an actuator common to both ot them. The particular fare register in connection with which this invention is described in this application is one in which there is a totalizing indicator 101, 102, 103, etc.,`for registering the total amount or" :tare and a passenger indicator 10 102', 103 for registering the number of passengers per trip. The passenger indicator 101,` 102, 103 is provided with a resetting device y50 which can bepulled outwardly and turned Vabout its own axis to reset the indicatingdials to Zero in opening in the casing'(not shown) through which the numerals on the indicator discs are ordinarily visible. When the'knob 5.0'is reepV volved it turns worm gear 57 which meshes'V wit-h gear 58. The-gear 58 is rigidly mounted i upon azshaft "59 which carries a. discv 60 at'it's ot-herend which has a projection 61V extending into'a slot 62 on lever' 63 which ispivoted at'6i; The lever 63 is connected by link 65A to the plate 52 which is slidably mounted byr lugs 66.onrod 67 so that turning of the knob 50 to reset the indicator will shirt the plate 52 to the rightprleft so as to leave the word Outtor In visible through an 'opening in the cover at lthe appropriate time. Furk ther detailed explanation of this portion of the register is deemed unnecessary, as it const-itutes no part ot this invention and this part of the operation is perfectly familiar totli'ose skilled in this art.

I claim; f

1. Ina fare register, a' passenger indicator and a money indicator actuated troin'a co1nmon source and means including a change speed mechanism that can beset tor different speeds'tor actuating said 'indicators at ditterent predetermined, relative speeds,YV said change speed mechanism having gear wheels i of different sizes to mesh with a common gear wheel.

- 2. 1n a tare register, in combination, a passenger indicator and al moneyindicator actuated from a common source, and means, comprising afpivoted shaft having al universal joint therein, whereby the relative amounts of actuation of said indicators may be varied.

3. In a fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of fares; an indicator for the money collected for the fares; av

driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said connections comprising ,a shaft which has one of its ends laterally adjustable, ,v

4. In a fare register, in combination, an indicatorfor the number of fares; a totalizing indicator for the money collected for the fares; a driver; connectionsl between said driver andl said indicators, one of said conneet-ions comprising vchange y gear mechanism having a telescoping shaft. Y Y

5. In a fare register, in combination, an indicatorfor the number of fares; a totaliz ing indicator for the money collected for the fares; a driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said con` nections comprising a. longitudinally adjustable shaft, said shaftcarrying gear wheels of different sizes. u

6.V In a fare register, in combination, an in-k dicator for the number offares; an indicator for the money collected for the fares; a driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said connections cornprising change gear mechanism havingV a. laterally and longitudinally adjustable shaft.

7. Ina fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of fares; an indicator for the money collected -for the fares; a driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said eonnectionsfcom- ,prising aI shaft which maybe manually ad-y j usted'in lateral and longitudinal directions. `8. In a fare register, in combination,l an

indicator for the number of fares; an indicator for the money collected for the far-es;

aI driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said connections comprising a pivoted shaft having a universal `joint therein. said shaft being manually ,ad-A justable in lateral and longitudinal direc-y tions. Y

Y 9. In a fare registerin combination, an

.indicator for the number of fares; an indicator for the money collected for the fares; a driver; connections between said driver and said indicators, one of said connections comprising a rotatable shaft, one end of which is adjustable.

10. In a fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of fares; an indicator for the money collected for the fares;

a driver; connections between said driver and c said indicators, one of said connections coniprising a laterally and longitudinally adjustable shaft, and means for setting andzholding said shaft in its adjustable positions. Y

1l. In a fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of passengers; an indicator for the total fare collected; a drive shaft; lconnections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections includliceale@- in@f eifd7 cylinder revolublyfmounted in said first cylinder, a thirdcylinder slidably mounted in said second cylinder, a gear, said iirst cylinderibeingvpivoted, said second cylinder havfirst cylinder and connected by means of a universal joint to said gear, said third cylinder carrying a number of gears of different. sizes, a spring actuated catch for holding said third cylinder indifferent adjusted positions in said second cylinder, and means `for adjustf tween said drive shaft .and said indicators;

said connections including a rotatable shaft,l

a pivoted journal for said shaft, and means including a universal joint for connecting said rotatable shaft to said passenger indicator.

indicator for the number of passengers; an indicatorfor the total fare collected; .a drive shaft carrying a gear wheel; connections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections including'a rotatable shaft, a pivoted cylinder in which saidshaft rotates, and means including a universal joint for connecting said rotatable shaft to said `passenger indicator. 1

' 14. In a fare register, in combination, an

indicator for Ethe number of passengers; an indicator for the total fare collected; a drive shaft carryinga gear wheel; connections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections including a longitudinally adjustable shaft, a pivoted journal for said shaft, and means including av universal joint for connectingsaid shaft `to said passengerindicator; 4

15. yInajiare register, in combination, an indicator lfor the number of passengers; an indicator for the total fare collected; a drive shaft carrying'a gearwheel; connections between said drive shaft and said indicators, said, connections including a longitudinally adjustable shaft, a pivoted journal for said shaft, and means including a universal joint for connecting said shaft to said passenger indicator, and means for adjusting the other end of said shaft laterally.

16. In a fare registenin combination, an indicator for the number of passengers; an

indicator for the total fare collected; adrive` shaft carryinga gear wheel vconnections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections including a rotatable shaft a cylinder open at one end, a secondopen ing a projection extending outside ofsaidy 13.v In a.r fare register, 'in combination, an

17. In a fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of passengers,- an indicator for the total fare collected; a drive shaft carrying' a gear wheel; connections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections including a shaft for carrying gear wheels of diiierent sizes, a'pivoted cylinder' into which said shaft extends, means for holding said shaft in dili'erent longitudinal positions in said cylinder, and means including a universal joint for connecting said shaft to said passenger indicator.

18. In a fare register, in combination, an indicator for the number of passengers; an indicator for the total fare collected; a drive shaft carrying a gear wheel; connections between said drive shaft and said indicators; said connections including a shaft for carrying gear Wheels of different sizes, a pivoted cylinder into which said shaft extends, means for holding' said shaft in diierent longitudinal positions in said cylinder, and means including a universal joint for connecting said shaft to said passenger indicator, and means whereby said cylinder may be adjusted and held in different positions.

19. In a fare register, two revolvable indij cators so connected that one registers a multiple of the other and means whereby the multiple may be Varied, said means comprising a series of gear wheels of different sizes rigidly connected in close contact with each other and mounted upon a common shaft.

vIn testimony whereof I afix my signature.

WiLLIAM u. HOFFMAN. 

